Kristen Farmer Davis ’99: Guiding Students to Discover What Matters Most

A: Each new experience built on the previous one. When I was a student here, I never would have imagined my path would be as winding as it’s been, but there was always something that pushed me toward what came next. When I look back, the through line is believing in people’s ability to be great and helping them reach their potential.

My grandfather used to say, “You’re not better than anybody else, and no one is better than you.” My mom reminded me that he also added, “And it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone else feels that way.” That idea really shaped how I see the world… thinking about equity, seeing greatness in people even when they don’t see it in themselves, and helping them get where they want to go. When I think about every job I’ve had, that belief shows up again and again.

A: I thought I was headed for a career in advertising. That was my major at the University of Texas, with a minor in business. All of my volunteer work in college kept pulling me toward service and working with kids. I remember I was at an internship fair when I was in college and I was in line to talk with someone at a major advertising agency, but the line was long. There was a shorter line for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I talked to them and fell in love with the concept. I ended up interning with Make-A-Wish, and then I knew I wanted a career that was nonprofit focused.

I had a roommate in college who talked a lot about joining the Peace Corps and encouraged me to do so too. At first, I didn’t really think it was for me, but I talked to a Peace Corps representative on campus and as soon as I did, I knew it was what I wanted to do. I’d never traveled internationally, but the Peace Corps suddenly made sense. My parents were a little apprehensive at first, but eventually supported me.

A: I didn’t really get nervous until I left training and went to my actual village. Then it all hit me at once. The first few weeks were rocky, but I quickly fell in love with the people and the place. Studying French at Hutchison and in college helped me learn the local language. About a year in, I got very homesick and wondered if I could stay another year. The Peace Corps staff encouraged me not to go home but to have someone visit instead. My mom and a good friend visited me and that changed everything. By my second year, my language skills were better, I had stronger friendships, and it became a truly phenomenal experience.

I learned far more than I taught. Living and working in a community, seeing how people supported one another, and experiencing so much joy with so few material things completely changed how I think about life.

A: One of the biggest lessons was not to make assumptions. I was once teaching a workshop with a friend and we were using Roman numerals. About halfway through the lesson, we realized that the villagers did not know Roman numerals, but we assumed that they did. Once we figured that out, we were able to adjust the lesson so that they understood. That experience has stayed with me.

When I work with students now, I try to be very intentional about not assuming they know how to do something or that they’ve had certain experiences. If they don’t, that’s not a failure, it just means they need support. That mindset is especially important when you’re helping young people explore interests, make decisions, and try things that feel unfamiliar.

A: At the Fresh Air Fund, we worked with students who had very limited access to resources, but the goal was similar to what we do here at Hutchison in the Institute: helping young people
discover what they’re passionate about and imagine what’s possible for their future. We focused on exposure, reflection, and motivation, giving them experiences that helped them see new
paths forward.

At Youth Villages, I worked in everything from recruiting to business development. Seeing how decisions were made, how data was used, and how intentionality mattered at every level really shaped me. Sitting on the hiring side of the table also gave me insight that’s incredibly helpful when I work with students on résumés, interviews, and career planning.

A: I learned that no two people are the same. Some students know exactly what they want to do and just need encouragement or access. Others have so many options that they need help narrowing things down and reflecting on what actually excites them. Sometimes what looks like a lack of motivation is really fear or uncertainty.

What’s unique about Hutchison is the level of individual care. The culture here ensures that students don’t fall through the cracks. That support gives them a huge advantage, but they still need help making intentional choices about how they spend their time and energy. What excites me about this role is the opportunity to give them that help.

A: The Institute offers students meaningful experiential learning opportunities, but just as important is the reflection that surrounds those experiences. We’re focused on helping girls understand what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and what they’re learning from it.

Whether it’s career exploration, leadership development, service, or a self-directed project such as myExperience, the goal is to help students build decision-making skills, develop self-awareness, and articulate their growth. It’s about creating a through line and helping girls write their own stories, and the IRC team is here to help them make those decisions.

A: The myExperience project allows students to pursue an area of interest over several years and design something that’s truly their own. There’s no single right outcome. It’s about depth, ownership, and intentionality.

When students talk about myExperience in a college interview or elsewhere, they’re able to clearly explain what they explored, what they learned, and how they grew. That level of reflection and self-direction is a huge differentiator, but more importantly, it helps them understand themselves.

A: As an alumna, I have very high expectations for our students. I know what Hutchison girls are capable of because I’ve seen it and lived it. That gives me confidence to raise the bar and ask a lot of them. I don’t hesitate to challenge students because I believe deeply in their potential. I’m not sure I would feel that same level of certainty if I hadn’t experienced this community myself.

A: To me, it’s about living intentionally in community, understanding your role, your strengths, and how you want to contribute. Leadership doesn’t look one way. Some leaders are more visible, while others are quiet and work behind the scenes.

Responsible citizenship is about empathy, accountability, and decision-making. It’s knowing where you fit, how you want to show up, and having the initiative to do so. Our job is to help students figure that out and give them the support they need to live it out.

 

About Hutchison’s Institute for Responsible Citizenship

Building on Hutchison’s long tradition of empowering young women to lead, the Institute allows girls to discover how their individual talents and contributions can lead to rewarding careers and a life of purpose. The Institute provides a purposeful framework to harness the energy and curiosity of youthful idealism. We empower girls to change their world through a variety of opportunities.

Leads, Serves, and Invests are foundational Hutchison programs that embody the school’s commitment to living lives of purpose.

myExperience is a comprehensive three-and-a-half-year initiative for upper school girls to elevate their civic engagement and leadership skills in a structured co-curricular learning opportunity.